When it comes to appropriations—the annual multi-layered system Congress uses to allocate funding and provide direction for federal agencies—we’re driven, because it’s one of the most valuable channels for securing animal protection gains. This is particularly true for the USDA-FDA appropriations bill, which governs spending for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, two agencies with critical influence over the fate of animals.
Animal welfare laws threatened as Farm Bill passes U.S. House in largely party-line vote
Senate must not repeat the House’s faulty mistake on animal welfare policies as Farm Bill heads to the upper chamber
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Update 04/30/26: The U.S. House of Representatives voted 224-200, largely on party lines, to pass the House Farm Bill which includes the Save Our Bacon Act. There’s still time to stop this dangerous bill as the House will need to work with the U.S. Senate on a final version of the Farm Bill. You can help by urging your federal legislators to OPPOSE a Farm Bill that includes any language that restricts state farm animal laws.
STATEMENT: House Farm Bill collapses under weight of Big Ag giveaways
Humane World Action Fund vows to block harmful Farm Bill provisions targeting animal welfare as fight continues
WASHINGTON (April 29, 2026)—Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, issued the following statement on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 not advancing in the House.
Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund, said:
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
California’s Proposition 12, Massachusetts’ Question 3 and the other state-level laws that have simultaneously enhanced public health and animal welfare in the United States represent the agricultural market of the future, and perhaps more importantly, the moral progress of the nation. Industrial agriculture’s cruel crating of pigs and caging of laying hens are giving way—inexorably—to more humane approaches that will better serve and sustain family farms, public health and the social and cultural integrity of rural communities.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
Making this world better and brighter for animals involves vital collaboration with people in the halls of power making legislation and shaping policy. In the U.S., we work on bringing people together—regardless of party affiliation—to advance compassionate legislation that makes a real difference for animals.
House Farm Bill advances with attacks on state-level farmed animal welfare protections
Animal advocates denounce interference by Big Pork and other unscrupulous players as special favors Farm Bill passes out of committee by a 34 to 17 vote
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
In the U.S., the State of the Union address gives the president an opportunity to speak to a joint session of Congress about the nation’s condition, sharing legislative and regulatory proposals and communicating and reinforcing priorities. In recent years, we’ve used this time to spell out our own priorities and to reflect upon the U.S. government’s performance on animal protection issues.
